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What Are The Adverse Effects Of Inhalation Of Household Cleaning Agents?

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Posted on Wed, 10 Jun 2015
Question: Hi doctor,

I invited cleaning services for my house today. To speed up the job .. I got a sponge and started to use the chemical provided to remove the stain on the bathroom tiles with bare hands.. The smell was strong and my eyes begun to feel "spicy" I stopped and rinse my eyes... I stop the cleaning job and chatted with the cleaners instead...after about 10mins, I started to feel a sudde pain in the head and nausea.. I ran out to breathe fresh air immediately... After about 30 mins... It subsided and I drank lotsa water... I don know the name of the chemical
May know how bad can inhaling the chemical cause? Will there me any damage to the head or lungs?
The feeling is so disgusting ... I'm kinda tense on this
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Damage severity depends on type of cleaner and amount inhaled.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

Household cleaning agents may cause health damage by inhalation of industrial gases ( most commonly chlorine and ammonia).

Damage degree of airways and lungs depends on the type and the amount of irritant gas or fumes inhaled, ranging from minor respiratory discomfort to acute airways and lung injury.

So, is important to know the type of cleaner and its chemical composition, in order to have a correct evaluation of your concerns.

However, regarding to your symptoms, I think there was minor damage.

This is evaluated by your symptoms gravity, if you will experience continuous nausea, coughing, sleepiness, you need to have medical evaluation ASAP and blood gases measurement.

A good thing you done is going out, breathing immediately fresh air and drinking plenty of water.

So, in conclusion, severity of symptoms and type of cleaner are important to evaluate damage degree.

Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions or clarifications.

Best regards.


Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4494 Questions

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What Are The Adverse Effects Of Inhalation Of Household Cleaning Agents?

Brief Answer: Damage severity depends on type of cleaner and amount inhaled. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX and thanks for using HCM. I have read your query and understand your concerns. Household cleaning agents may cause health damage by inhalation of industrial gases ( most commonly chlorine and ammonia). Damage degree of airways and lungs depends on the type and the amount of irritant gas or fumes inhaled, ranging from minor respiratory discomfort to acute airways and lung injury. So, is important to know the type of cleaner and its chemical composition, in order to have a correct evaluation of your concerns. However, regarding to your symptoms, I think there was minor damage. This is evaluated by your symptoms gravity, if you will experience continuous nausea, coughing, sleepiness, you need to have medical evaluation ASAP and blood gases measurement. A good thing you done is going out, breathing immediately fresh air and drinking plenty of water. So, in conclusion, severity of symptoms and type of cleaner are important to evaluate damage degree. Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions or clarifications. Best regards.